Jordan

Lore & Background

Jordan is a study in dramatic contrasts: the Great Rift Valley carves a deep scar through the land, separating the arid, moon-like deserts of the east from the lush, fertile highlands of the west. Here lies the Dead Sea, Earth's lowest point, where the air is thick with minerals and buoyancy defies gravity. But the true heart beats in Petra, that lost city carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs by the ingenious Nabataeans over two millennia ago. It is a place where Bedouin traditions intertwine seamlessly with cosmopolitan life, creating a culture that honors its ancient roots while looking firmly toward the future.

Reader's Guide

In Jordan, history isn't just read; it's breathed in with every breath of desert air. The landscape shifts dramatically from the verdant Jordan Valley to the vast, otherworldly expanses of the eastern desert, where red sand dunes mimic alien terrain. Amman, the capital, sprawls across over twenty hills (far beyond its original seven), a chaotic yet charming blend of Roman theaters, white-stone modernism, and vibrant street life filled with the aroma of cardamom coffee.

The crown jewel remains Petra, that UNESCO masterpiece hewn from rose-colored rock by the Nabataeans. Just nearby, Wadi Rum offers towering sandstone monoliths that have doubled as Mars in blockbuster films. To the west, the Dead Sea invites you to float effortlessly on its hypersaline surface, soaking in mineral-rich mud known for its healing properties. Yet, the true magic lies in the people.

Renowned for a hospitality that borders on obsession, Jordan offers a rare sanctuary of safety and peace amidst regional turmoil. It is a place where travelers can savour the rich, yogurt-based lamb dish mansaf and explore the cradle of civilization with their guard down, welcomed as long-lost family rather than mere tourists.

Did You Know?

• Jordan is one of only two Arab nations (along with Egypt) to have signed a peace treaty with Israel.
• The Dead Sea is so salty that no fish can survive in its waters, and its mud is famous for therapeutic properties.